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One of the children drew back at mention of the place, and James remembered Nita’s reaction. James called into the main room, ‘You, boy, why does that frighten you?’
The lad just shook his head, fear written across his face.
Jazhara put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. ‘It’s all right. No one will hurt you. Why are you frightened?’
A girl behind the boy said, ‘These men said they were from the Yellow Shield and if we came here they’d feed us.’
James rose, left the office, pushed past Jazhara to where the nearest thug lay in a pool of blood. To an older boy he said, ‘Run outside and find a city watchman. You should find one two streets over by the Inn of the Five Stars. Tell him Squire James requires two men here as soon as possible. Can you remember that?’
The boy nodded and ran off, leaving the street door open behind him. James glanced after him and said, ‘Well, if he doesn’t head straight for a hideout somewhere, help should be here in a few minutes.’
Jazhara watched as James turned the dead Keshian over and looted his purse. ‘What are you looking for?’ she asked.
James held up a ring. ‘This.’ He rose and handed it to her to examine.
She turned the ring over in her hand. It was a simple iron ring with a small painted yellow iron shield fastened to it. ‘Those who serve the Order of Dala wear a ring similar to this. I suspect these men showed this to the children to lure them here, claiming they were taking them to the orphanage.’
Jazhara glanced towards the children, several of whom nodded. ‘That would explain why Nita was so adamant about not going there,’ she said.
James returned to the office and looked again at the closed chest. He hesitated, then opened it. Inside were more documents. He removed a few and asked, ‘Jazhara, can you read these? They appear to be in a form of Keshian I don’t understand.’
Jazhara took the proffered documents and glanced at the topmost. ‘I can read them, but it’s a desert script, from the area around Durbin, and not from the interior of Kesh.’
James nodded. He could only read formal court Keshian. Jazhara’s eyes widened. ‘Filthy traitor! Yusuf has been using my great-uncle and his resources, setting Kesh against your Prince, and your Prince against Kesh!’
James looked perplexed. Finding out that Yusuf was a Keshian agent was hardly a shock. Discovering he was also betraying his master was. ‘Why?’
Jazhara held out a single page. ‘To serve someone named “the Crawler.’’
James rolled his eyes heavenward, but stayed silent. The Crawler had been a thorn in the side of both the Prince and the Mockers for months now and James was no closer to establishing his identity than he had been the day he had first heard his name. Hoping for some clue, he asked, ‘What else does it say?’
Jazhara finished reading the document, then looked at the next. ‘This Crawler is someone of note, someone who rewarded Yusuf handsomely for his betrayal. There are references to payments already made of large amounts of gold and other considerations.’
She hurried through several other documents, then came to one that caused her to stop and go pale. ‘This cannot be …’ she whispered.
‘What?’ asked James.
‘It is a warrant for my death should I choose not to serve Yusuf. It bears my great-uncle’s signature and seal.’
She held it out with a shaking hand and James took it. He examined the paper closely then said, ‘It isn’t.’
‘Isn’t?’ she asked softly.
‘You said it cannot be and I’m saying you’re right. It isn’t real. It’s a forgery.’
‘How can you be certain?’ she asked. ‘I’ve seen my great-uncle’s script and seal many times and this appears to be from his hand and ring.’
James grinned. ‘It’s too flawless. I doubt that even your great-uncle could order the death of his favourite niece without some noticeable trembling in his hand. The letters are too perfect. I can’t read the words, but I can see the handwriting and it’s a clever forgery. Besides, even if the handwriting displayed that slight agitation I’d expect, there are two other reasons.’
‘Which are?’ she asked as the sound of approaching footsteps reached them.
‘Your great-uncle would never be stupid enough to sign his own name to a death warrant on any Keshian noble, especially one in his own family. More to the point, we’ve seen a fair number of documents bearing his seal in the palace over the years and there’s a tiny imperfection in his signet.’ James pointed. ‘Look here. Where the long point of the star touches the bottom of the seal there should be a fine crack, as if the ring has a tiny fracture. This seal doesn’t have it. The ring wasn’t his.’
‘Then why?’ asked Jazhara. As she spoke, a small company of the city watch appeared outside the door.
‘Because,’ said James, striding towards the door, ‘if the new court mage in Krondor dies and someone in the Imperial Court starts casting around for someone to blame, who better than the head of the Keshian Intelligence Corps? Someone in the Empress’s Palace might wish to see him removed and replaced with his own man.’
‘The Crawler?’ asked Jazhara.
James turned and nodded.
‘Then he is someone of importance,’ she said. ‘To threaten my great-uncle is to risk much. Only a man with his own power base within Kesh would dare this.’
At the door, a guard of the watch said, ‘One of these children came to us and we hurried here as quickly as we could, Squire. What can we do to help?’
James replied, ‘There are some bodies inside that need to be removed, but otherwise everything’s under control.’ He glanced at the children who hovered around them in a circle, as if ready to bolt should the alarm go up. ‘You’d better take charge of this lot before they scatter.’
‘Where shall we take them?’
James said, ‘To the Shield of Dala Orphanage the Princess helped found, over by the Sea Gate. Last I heard they had plenty of beds and hot food.’
Several children started to inch away, as if getting ready to flee. Jazhara crouched and reached out as if to gather the fearful children to her. She said, ‘They are not like the men who have hurt you. There you will truly find food and warm beds.’
Confronted otherwise with the prospect of a cold night with only stones to sleep upon and an empty belly, the children remained. The guard looked around. ‘Well, then, if you’re all right getting back to the palace without a guard, Squire, we’ll get this bunch moving. Come along, children,’ he said, trying not to sound too gruff.
The children left with two of the guards while the remaining pair peered into the building. ‘We’ll have these bodies gone by morning. What about the building?’ one of them asked.
James replied, ‘It’ll be looted five minutes after you leave, so I’m going to poke around a little more and take anything important to the prince. Once we’re gone, get rid of the bodies and let whoever wanders by take what he wants. If the previous owner has any heirs, I would welcome them coming to the palace to complain.’
The watchman saluted and James and Jazhara reentered the dyer’s shop. Jazhara thoroughly examined every paper in the chest and James inspected every likely spot that might harbour a secret hiding place. After an hour, James announced, ‘I don’t think there’s anything else.’
Jazhara had been carefully reading the papers found in Yusuf’s office. ‘There’s enough here to warrant a full investigation from my great-uncle’s end,’ she said. ‘This attempt to have my death placed at his feet in order to discredit him … it would have created a virtual civil war in the north of the Empire, for the desert tribes would know it to be a false accusation.’
‘But the Empress and her council in the City of Kesh might believe it.’
Jazhara nodded. ‘Whoever this Crawler is, he seeks to benefit from confrontation between our peoples, James. Who would gain from such chaos?’
James said, ‘It’s a long list. I’ll tell you sometime. Right now, we should get to the palace. You have barely enough time to take a short nap, change into clean clothing, eat, then be presented to Prince Arutha.’
Jazhara took a final long look around the room, as if searching for something or trying to impress details on her memory, then without comment she lifted her staff and moved purposefully towards the door.
James hesitated for a half-step, then overtook her. ‘You’ll send word to your great-uncle?’ he asked when he caught up with her.
‘Certainly. This Crawler may be Keshian and what occurs here in Krondor may be but a part of a larger scheme, but it’s clear that my great-uncle is at risk.’
James said, ‘Well, there’s the matter of the Prince.’
‘Oh.’ Jazhara stared at James. ‘Do you think he would begrudge my great-uncle a warning?’
James touched her shoulder lightly. ‘It’s not that. It’s only …’
‘Matters of politics,’ she finished.
‘Something like that,’ James said. They turned a corner. ‘It may be there’s no problem in communicating this discovery to your great-uncle, but Arutha may request you leave out certain facts, such as how you got the information.’
Jazhara smiled slightly. ‘As in not revealing we know Yusuf was ostensibly an agent working on behalf of Great Kesh?’
James grinned. ‘Something like that,’ he repeated.
As they continued to walk, she added after a while, ‘Perhaps we could simply say that while dealing with an illegal slavery ring, we discovered a plot to murder me and pin the blame upon my great-uncle, to the purpose of having him removed from his position as Governor of the Jal-Pur.’
‘My thinking exactly.’
Jazhara laughed. ‘Do not worry, my friend. Politics are second nature to Keshian nobles not born of the True Blood.’
James frowned. ‘I’ve heard that term once or twice before, but must confess I’m vague as to what it means.’
Jazhara turned a corner, putting them on a direct path back to the palace. ‘Then you must visit the City of Kesh and visit the Empress’s court. There are things I can tell you about Kesh that will not make sense until you have seen them with your own eyes. The True Blood Keshians, those whose ancestors first hunted lions on the grasslands around the Overn Deep, are such. Words would not do them justice.’
A hint of irony – or bitterness – tinged her words, and James couldn’t tell which, but James decided not to pursue the matter. They crossed out of the Merchants’ Quarter and entered the palace district.
As they approached the palace gates, Jazhara glanced over to the large building opposite and noticed the solitary guardsman there. ‘An Ishapian enclave?’
James studied the sturdy man who stood impassively at his post, a lethal-looking warhammer at his belt. ‘Yes, though I have no idea of its purpose.’
Jazhara looked at James with a wry smile and a twinkling eye and said, ‘There’s something occurring in Krondor about which you’re ignorant?’
James returned her smile. ‘What I should have said is that I have no idea what its purpose is – yet.’
The guards came to attention as James and Jazhara reached the gates and the senior guard said, ‘Welcome back, Squire. You’ve found her, then?’
James nodded. ‘Gentlemen, may I present Jazhara, court mage of Krondor.’
At this, one of the other guards began to stare at Jazhara. ‘By the gods!’ he exclaimed suddenly.
‘You’ve something to say?’ James inquired.
The guard flushed. ‘Beggin’ your pardon, Squire, but a Keshian? So close to our Prince?’
Jazhara looked from one to the other, then said, ‘Set your minds at rest, gentlemen. I have taken oath and I will swear fealty to Arutha. Your prince is my lord, and like you, I shall defend him unto death.’
The senior guard threw a look at the outspoken soldier that clearly communicated they would be talking about his outburst later. Then he said, ‘Your pardon, milady. We are honoured to have you in Krondor.’
‘My thanks to you, sir,’ replied Jazhara as the gates were opened.
James followed, and as the gates were closed behind them he said, ‘You’ll have to excuse them. They’re naturally wary of strangers.’
‘You mean, wary of Keshians. Think nothing of it. We would be equally suspicious of a Kingdom magician in the court of the Empress, She Who Is Kesh. When Master Pug entrusted me to this position, he was very clear that my appointment is not to be political.’
James grinned. Nothing in the court was not political, but he appreciated the sentiment. He regarded the young woman again. The more he knew her, the better he liked her. Mustering up his best courtier’s tone, he said, ‘A woman of your beauty and intelligence should have no trouble with that. I myself am already feeling a great sense of trust.’
She laughed. Fixing him with a sceptical expression, she said, ‘Your compliment is appreciated, Squire, but do not presume too much, too quickly. I’m sure your Prince would be upset were I forced to turn you into a toad.’
James returned the laugh. ‘Not half as upset as I’d be. Forgive my impertinence, Jazhara, and welcome to Krondor.’
They paused at the main entrance to the palace, where a page waited. ‘This boy will escort you to your quarters and see to whatever you need.’ Glancing at the sky, James added, ‘We have two hours until dawn, and I will attend the Prince an hour after he breaks fast with his family. I’ll have someone come fetch you to court for the presentation.’
‘Thank you, Squire,’ said Jazhara. She turned and mounted the steps to the palace doors. James watched her go, appreciating just how nice her retreating figure looked in her travel clothes. As he took off in the direction of his own quarters, he muttered to himself, ‘William’s got good taste in women, that’s for sure. Between Talia and this one, he’s got his hands full.’
By the time he reached a small gate near the palace wall, on the path leading to the rear servant’s entrance, his mind had already turned from exotic beauties from distant lands and was wrestling with mysteries more deadly, such as who this Crawler was and why was he trying so hard to plunge the Kingdom into war.
Arutha, Prince of Krondor and the Western Realm, second most powerful man in the Kingdom of the Isles, looked at his squire and said, ‘Well, what do you think of her?’
‘Even if Duke Pug hadn’t vouched for her, I’d be inclined to trust her, to take her oath of fealty as heartfelt and genuine.’
Arutha sat back in his chair, behind the desk he used when conducting the more mundane daily routines of ruling the Western Realm. It was his habit to take a few minutes there to ready himself for morning court, before the conduct of his office was taken out of his hands by de Lacy, his Master of Ceremonies.
After a moment of reflection, Arutha said, ‘You must be tired. If loyalty were even a remote issue, Jazhara would not be here. I mean, what do you think of her as a person?’
James sighed. ‘We had … an adventure, last night.’
Arutha pointed to the documents upon his desk. ‘Something to do with a dead cloth-dyer of Keshian ancestry who appears to be working for Lord Hazara-Khan, no doubt.’
James nodded. ‘Yes, sire. She’s … remarkable. As much as I’ve been around magic in the last ten years, I still know little about it. But she seems … I don’t know if powerful is the correct word … adept, perhaps. She acted without hesitation when the need arose and she seems capable of doing considerable damage should that be required.’
‘What else?’
James thought. ‘I think she’s able to be very analytical “at a full gallop” as they say. I can’t imagine her being rash or foolhardy.’
Arutha nodded for James to continue.
‘We can deduce she’s educated. Despite the accent, her command of the King’s Tongue is flawless. She reads more languages than I do, apparently, and being court-born will know all the protocols, ceremonies, and matters of rank.’
‘Nothing you’ve said is at variance with Pug’s message to me concerning this choice.’ Arutha indicated another piece of parchment on his desk. ‘You have a nose for smelling out things even a magician of Pug’s puissance might not recognize.’
‘In that, Highness, she’s what you require in an advisor on things magical, I would wager.’
‘Good.’ Arutha rose and said, ‘Let us go and meet her, then.’
James hurried to reach the door and open it for his prince. While no longer Senior Squire of the Court of Krondor, he was still Arutha’s personal squire and usually attended him when he wasn’t off on some mission or another for Arutha. James opened the door.
On the other side, Brion, the newly-appointed Senior Squire, awaited Arutha’s appearance. Brion was the son of the Baron of Hawk’s Hallow in the eastern mountains of the Duchy of Yabon. A tall, rangy, blond-headed lad, he was a hard-working, no-nonsense sort, the perfect choice for the tedious work of Senior Squire, work James had to admit he had never fully embraced with enthusiasm. Master of Ceremonies de Lacy and his assistant, Housecarl Jerome, were thrilled with the change in assignments, as they had both been forced to compensate for James’s absences when he was out and about on Arutha’s behalf. James glanced at Brion as he followed Arutha, leaving James with the other squires awaiting the duties of the day. When Arutha was seated, Brion nodded to Jerome, who moved to the large doors that would admit today’s court to the Prince’s presence. With a dignity James still found impressive, the old Master of Ceremonies moved to the middle of the entrance, so that as Jerome and a page opened the doors, those outside would first see de Lacy.
With a voice still powerful, the Master of Ceremonies said, ‘Come forth and attend! The Prince of Krondor is upon his throne and will hear his subjects!’
He turned and walked towards the dais, while pages led members of the court to their assigned places. Most of those in attendance were regular members of Arutha’s court and knew exactly where they should stand, but a few newcomers always needed a boy nearby to instruct them quietly in matters of court protocol. And Brian de Lacy was a stickler for protocol.
James saw several officers and nobles of Arutha’s staff enter and take their customary positions while petitioners who had convinced someone on the palace staff they needed to speak personally with the Prince followed. Jazhara was first among those, since she would soon make the transition from newcomer to member of the court.
